Thank you to everyone who emailed and called their senators last week in response to the release of the State Senate budget which included several changes to the film incentive that will effectively kill the film production industry in Massachusetts. That was Round 1 in a fight that will last a few more weeks.
Jobs are on the line. We need to stop this now AND we need to support a new amendment which Senator Michael Moore has filed (Amendment #846) that will make this program permanent by following the steps the House took and remove the expiration of the incentive.
ROUND 2 is now!
1. Use this link to email your State Senator now. This is critical. If you emailed them last week, email again.
- Take the time to add a personal message about your work and career in this industry.
- If you emailed recently, email them AGAIN. Ask them to co-sponsor Sen. Moore’s budget amendment #846.
- If your Senator is supportive, thank them, but tell them the proposed changes in the Senate Budget can’t go forward and will effectively kill the film incentive program.
2. Later today follow-up with a phone call to your Senator’s office. Phone calls are more personal and have the most impact. If you called last week, call again and ask them to co-sponsor amendment #846. Emails alone are not enough. MAKE THE CALL.
Key message points:
- Ask them to co-sponsor Budget Amendment #846 to Save Film Jobs in Massachusetts.
- Tell them if the proposed changes in the Senate budget are passed that it will kill film jobs in Massachusetts. The incentive program will be left uncompetitive and film and TV productions will no longer come to the state.
- Tell them why keeping the incentive program in Massachusetts matters to you, your job, and your family.
Make sure your co-workers and fellow industry members are also writing and making calls.
Coming up: ROUND 3.
The week of May 24 we will have another email and call campaign to vote yes on the amendment.
Tuesday, May 25, we will have a rally at the state house. This is the first day of Senate debate on their budget.
WHEN: May 25, 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
WHERE: Massachusetts State House, Bowdoin St. side
RSVP: newengland@sagaftra.org so we know who will be attending
All state required COVID-19 protocols will be followed.
We’re in this fight together!